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Mental Disorder that Afflicted King David the Great

Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel

This research uses the tools of modern medical science to study ancient descriptions of the symptoms suffered by King David. Biblical texts were examined, with a close study of verses relating to the mental disorder that afflicted King David, the second and greatest King of Israel, who ruled more than3525 years ago. We include no commentaries, but refer only to the words of the Bible exactly as written. Evaluation of the passages referring to King David indicates that he was afflicted by some mental disorder, and among the many possibilities major depression, dysthymia and minor depression are the most likely. Of these diagnoses, major depression seems the most acceptable. This report suggests that the roots of contemporary psychiatry can be traced back to Biblical times.

Key Words: anxiety • depression • history • life events • psychiatry • stress

History of Psychiatry, Vol. 15, No. 4, 467-476 (2004)
DOI: 10.1177/0957154X04044512


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